Heading out to Wyoming, going to Wyotech.

Fortuanetly I am going into the whole school thing with an open mind. The only thing I am looking to get out of the schooling is a good foundation in fabrication. I know a few people with shops that are willing to take me under there wing. But I am reading to work my F*ing ass off. Thats what I am all about, acheiving my goals no matter how hard they are.

 

I am going for 12 months. 6 for collision and refinishing, 3 for Hot Rod fab, and 3 for Highpo engines and Chassis fab. The whole program is about 26 grand. I know it is alot. I will be in debt for a while.

I got my name from the car club I run. The Blacktop Butchers. Check it us out at http://blacktopbutchers.tripod.com

 

I agree with you that some hobbies don't make good jobs. But Rods and Kustoms is what I am all about. It is what I love to do, it is my passion. I will be envolved in the industry in some way, shape or form. Even if that means pushing a broom. I will just work my ass off and let my work speak for itself. Isn't that the way it should be.

I will definately have to take you up on the invite. I love cheaking out what everyone is into. Gives you a better scope on things. Opens your eyes to new ideas.

 

Best of luck to you. Your right, you get out of it what you put into it.
26 grand. Damn I thought our program was expensive!

 

Congrats man. I went to tech and learned more than you can imagine. You'll have a great time. The street rod shop is insane, and chasis fab just got there own huge building.

It has it's downsides to: colder than hell, Laramie is lame. If you have never been to Colorado or anything like it, it is awesome. When you get there you've got to go to Suzy's gas station and met larry and suzy. They're great people. good luck and have fun.

 

Thanks man, Finally some one has some real positive words about the school. Gives me hope. I plan on giving it my all and getting every drop knowledge the school has to offer.

 

Here is another positive note. Scott Smith is the name of the new paint instructor at WyoTech. He is from Rapid City and one helluva painter. Even if he cant teach at all, WATCH him!!! He is good.

 

twenty-six thousand dollars? you gotta be kidding me, for one year at wyotech? dude, id seriously rethink that. i gots me reasons.

trey

 

I checked out the school myself last year, had a rep supposed to come over, etc. Then I figured out how much dough it was going to cost me... I figured over $30K for 12 months. So it's going to cost me more money to learn to do the work than I'll actually when I get out of school. Um, no way, Jose.

I went to a vo-tech school instead. 10 months of bodywork practice and experience for less than $3K. I'll admit I'll be more skilled with body filler than metal, but at least I can learn some basics and decide if that's the career I want. Plus I can do work on my own cars and get lots of help.

If you go for it, good for you. Just make sure that you know there are alternatives. I'd still like to go to Wyotech for collision and custom auto body, but only when I can really afford it. Maybe after I work for ten years!

 

Dude I definately agree with you. It is a ton of money. I actually checked into some Votech schools but non around had what I was looking for. After all done and said for, with housing it is costing me a total of 31,000. That is with financial aid. I am still waiting on that. The programs come out to about 26-28 grand I can't remember the exact numbers. I try to forget. I can say that I will be in debt for a long time. But I think it is worth it.

 

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I'll admit I'll be more skilled with body filler than metal,

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no different than what i have seen at wyotech. i remember the first year i went to the anual show they have, i was amazed. you can go through and look at all the students projects. the cars are either pink or green, depend on what brand filler they use. i never would have guessed that they use that much filler...

trey

 

I toured Wyotech on the way out to Bonneville this year. I'll tell ya what...I was pretty impressed with the facilities. You have pretty much everything you would ever possibly need to build a hot rod right there at your fingertips.

If you've got the scratch to go up there and get through it, then I would say that you might as well give it a shot. Just don't expect job offers to come falling from the sky after you graduate. You're going to have to work your ass off to get your foot in the door in the rod industry.

I will also say that an apprenticeship at a reputable rod shop would be as good or better, but finding a good builder that's willing to take you under his wing on your own is gonna be a lot harder than just going to Wyotech.

Don't get discouraged...just build the best car you possibly can with the time and the resources that are going to be available. Do that and you'll be on the right track.

When you get out there, tell Brick with the chopped shoebox that Bass said hi.

 

That is one of the things that appealed to me also. They have everything you need to build a awsome car. So I figured I would try and get as much experience as possible on all the machines and with all the tools. I plan on going nuts with my car if I can get enough green stamps to ship it out there. I am working my ass off as we speak to get the money to ship the car.

Steve B&W

 

26 grand!!

I didnt spend that much for a B/A and a Masters Degree combined.. wow.. (and I graduated in 2000)

good luck..

 

Hey Steve - welcome!

 

Bass, how has it been going?

I'm an instructor and former graduate of WyoTech. My opinion may be a bit biased but I don't know of any other place where you can get the experience that you get here. Sure you might find a shop that will take you under their wing and let you start out sweeping the floors and possibly someone there will be nice enough to share some of the knowledge that they have struggled to get them selves over quite a few years. Or come through the street rod course here and get the basics in operating a English wheel, a power hammer, Pullmax, building panels with a bag and mallet, TIG, MIG and oxy/acetylene welding, leading. Learn the steps for chopping tops, sectioning, channeling, ect.
If you think that you'll leave here a master craftsman then your just dreaming but if you show up with a strong interest in custom cars and a good attitude then maybe when you graduate and get a that same job sweeping the floors I guarantee that it won't be long before give up the broom and are doing what you really want and not waiting for someone to show you how

 

Go,have a good time,you're a young guy, there's plenty of time to pay the money back. The best times in my life was when I was twenty one and on my own. I'm jealous

 

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If you think that you'll leave here a master craftsman then your just dreaming but if you show up with a strong interest in custom cars and a good attitude then maybe when you graduate and get a that same job sweeping the floors I guarantee that it won't be long before give up the broom and are doing what you really want and not waiting for someone to show you how


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Very well put, doesn't matter where you go, YOU have to make it happen.
Welcome to the HAMB brxter, I'll be looking forward to you input.

 

BlackTopButcher, Welcome to the HAMB. Good luck with your dreams and goals.


Does brxter = Brick?? Either way, welcome to the HAMB

 

I plan on going to the school with an open mind and a ton off anticipation. I know I have the drive, and I want to learn as much as possible and am willing to put in what ever it takes to acheve my goals.

Hopefully I will see you out there Baxter. Definatly looking foward to get this rolling.

 

Amen brxter! Wyotech does not stand for miracle but you get out of the school what you put in. I also am a wytoech graduate and instructor and I believe we have one of the most highly trained and definatley one of the most extravagent shops around. I have been into rods forever but am a little biased when it comes to traditonal style rods but neverless the school gets many firstimers hands on expierence on many tools most people dont even get to see and touch. And blacktopbutcher if you get a chance come see us in Pa we would love show you the new building it is done and it is nice.